Going boating? Here are a few reminders.





Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






Ensure your summer is full of smiles by boating prepared and responsibly
family on pontoon boat wearing brightly covered life jackets

*The key to a happy, memorable weekend on the water is boating safe and prepared. Here are a few reminders to keep you and everyone on the water safe:*


* Always wear a life jacket. If you think you will have time to put it on after you are in the water, think again.
* Stay alert and be aware of others on the water.
* Operate your boat at a safe and reasonable speed for your surroundings. You are responsible for your wake. 
* Remember that the law requires you to operate at "headway speed" within 200 feet of any shoreline, including islands, and within a marina or an approved anchorage in coastal or inland waters. "Headway speed" means the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and control of the watercraft.
* When participating in wakesurfing activity, you must be in at least 15 feet of water and must be more than 300 feet off the shoreline.
* When towing someone on water skis, a surfboard, tube, or another device, ALWAYS have a responsible person at least 12 years of age in a position to observe the towed person(s) continuously, in addition to the boat operator. The person(s) being towed must wear a life jacket.
* Never drink and drive!
* Check the weather before leaving shore and carefully observe changing weather.
* Always wear an engine cutoff switch.
* Watch out for wildlife.
* Become familiar with the water body. Look at a map for depths and any potential hazards. Lake associations, Maine guides, and local wardens can be a great resource.
* Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid overexposure to the sun.
* Always tell someone where you are going, and when you will be back

Before you go, view all of Maine's boating laws at mefishwildlife.com/laws [ [link removed] ]

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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clean drain dry logo [ [link removed] ]
Clean, Drain, Dry.

*It's what boaters do to protect Maine's waters.*

Mainers and visitors alike treasure our beautiful lakes, ponds, and rivers. They are the heart of our unforgettable summers, whether it's diving in to cool off on a hot day, paddling away the stress of life, listening to a loon call, or reeling in a fish.

That's why boaters in Maine are proud to take the extra steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species:

*CLEAN - *Clean off visible aquatic plants, animals, and mud from watercraft, motor, trailer, and equipment before leaving water access. Dispose of debris in a trash receptacle or a responsible location away from the water. 

*DRAIN - *Prior to entering a water body and when preparing to leave launch sites, boaters are required to remove or open any devices designed for routine removal/opening (for example, hull drain plugs, bailers, live wells, ballast tanks) to encourage draining of areas containing water (excluding live bait containers). This must be done in a way that does not allow drained water to enter any inland water of the state.

*DRY* *-* Dry completely before reuse. 

Our waters, and the memories we make on them, are worth protecting. 


*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Boat Registration

Boats may be registered in-person at a Recreational Vehicle Agent or renewed online [ [link removed] ] if your town is part of the rapid renewal program. Click here [ [link removed] ]to see if your town allows online boat registration renewals.

*Nonresidents*

Non-Maine registered watercraft that are properly registered in another state and display a valid registration do not need to be registered in Maine, provided the watercraft is not kept in Maine for more than 60 consecutive days after a change in the state of principal use. However, these watercraft are still required by law to have a Lake and River Protection Sticker [ [link removed] ]. In-person purchases can be made at many authorized agents throughout the state. Click here [ [link removed] ] for a list of participating agents. 

If visiting an agent is not possible, boaters may complete and submit this form [ [link removed] ] to request a sticker by mail. Once the transaction is processed, a confirmation email will be sent. Boaters should keep a copy of this confirmation with them until their sticker arrives and is affixed to their watercraft. "Please plan for at least two weeks for your stickers to arrive once your transaction is processed."

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Boater Safety and Education

Participating in a recreational boating safety education course will teach you how to safely operate and maintain a boat and introduce you to Maine boating laws and resources. Courses are available online and in-person.

Individuals born after January 1, 1999, are required to complete a boater safety course to operate certain watercraft, or to supervise a young person, learn more [ [link removed] ]. Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife recommends the course for all boaters.

*Find a Boater Safety Course Today* [ [link removed] ]


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More Information

Maine Boating Laws and Rules [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Information [ [link removed] ]

Purchase Your Lake and River Protection Sticker [ [link removed] ]

Online Boat Registration Renewal [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Courses [ [link removed] ]

Help Protect our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species [ [link removed] ]

Label Canoes and Kayaks with a If Found Sticker [ [link removed] ]

Current Surface Use Restrictions [ [link removed] ]








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ·41 State House Station · Augusta, ME 04333-0041 · (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]